E85 fuel means more corn, less gas

Nitz promotes bills boosting E85 use in Michigan.

Nitz promotes bills boosting E85 use in Michigan.

February 28, 2006|LOU MUMFORD Tribune Staff Writer

NILES -- Fill it up, with corn! In the next few years, that's essentially what a good portion of the motorists in Michigan might be doing, should state Rep. Neal Nitz, R-Baroda, have his way. Rather than corn, it's an 85 percent mixture of ethanol, a clean-burning, high-octane fuel produced primarily from corn and unleaded gasoline that would fuel the so-called flexible fuel vehicles currently turned out by Daimler Chrysler, General Motors and Ford Motor Co. There already are thousands of FFVs on the road, and GM and Ford are planning to produce 650,000 more this year, Nitz said. The problem is Michigan has just four service stations that can dispense the appropriate fuel, known as E85. A six-bill package introduced last week in the Michigan House and Senate would have a major impact, Nitz said. Included is a bill introduced by Nitz in the House and state Sen. Ron Jelinek, R-Three Oaks, in the Senate that would offer a 50 percent grant for service stations that add E85 pumps. Each grant would have a ceiling of $15,000, Nitz said. He said more E85 pumps would lead to more FFVs, more money for corn-producing farmers, lower gas prices, less dependence on foreign oil and, ultimately, a cleaner environment. "I have always felt renewable fuels would be important to Michigan's future and a way to improve economic development in this great state,'' said Nitz, the chairman of the House Agriculture Committee. "After years of hard work, this package is one that everyone can get on board with.'' Among the package highlights, he said, are mandating the use of E85 and biodiesel (diesel fuel made from such sources as soybean oil) in 1,600 state-owned cars -- police cars and snowplows would be excluded -- and reducing the 19-cent-a-gallon state gasoline tax by 7 cents for motorists who purchase E85 fuel. Also, 10 new renaissance zones, or areas free of property taxes, would be created for the manufacture of the alternative fuel, Nitz said. He said the package would be "win-win'' for everyone, including consumers who initially could expect to save some 25 cents a gallon on fuel costs. FFVs cost about the same as conventional autos, Nitz said, but because ethanol burns faster they receive 5 to 15 percent less fuel mileage. Still, Nitz said the tradeoff is well worth the price. Already, the package has received strong bipartisan support, Nitz said, and has close to 80 co-sponsors. He said hearings on the legislation are expected to begin Wednesday in the House. Staff writer Lou Mumford: lmumford@sbtinfo.com (269) 687-7002